Lake Forest Councilman Yu Receives Military Diversion Approval

Background and Legal Proceedings

Lake Forest Councilman Benjamin Yu has been granted admission into a military diversion program to address a drunken driving case and multiple domestic violence allegations, according to court records. This decision was made by Orange County Superior Court Judge Scott Cooper, who approved Yu’s motion for the program on Tuesday. A hearing is scheduled for August 7 to confirm his enrollment in the initiative.

The legal troubles involving Yu began with a series of domestic violence incidents. In April, prosecutors raised concerns about Yu’s motion to reduce a felony domestic violence charge to a misdemeanor. They highlighted that Yu had committed multiple acts of violence against the same woman over several dates. These included strangling her, pulling her by the hair, and bashing her head against a countertop, leaving visible marks each time.

Details of the Incidents

On June 27, 2023, an argument between Yu and his then-girlfriend escalated. Prosecutors stated that Yu climbed atop her, straddled her, and grabbed her by the neck with both hands. The woman reported that the strangulation caused bruises on her neck and that she vomited two or three times afterward.

Later, on July 1, 2023, Yu invited the woman to lunch, but when she refused, he showed up at her home and demanded she get into his car. When she refused, he grabbed her wrists and pulled her toward the interior passenger seat, causing her to scream.

At the time of these events, Yu had an open DUI case. He was arrested by Irvine police on October 11, 2021, for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and was charged with two DUI misdemeanor counts in that case.

Another incident occurred on February 19, 2024, when sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic violence call involving Yu. The woman described feeling confused and dizzy, and prosecutors said Yu grabbed her hair, pulled her head against the granite kitchen countertop, and slammed her head multiple times. He then grabbed a kitchen knife and told her he was going to kill himself. Yu called 911, claiming he was suicidal, had a knife, and was turning on the gas stove inside the house, prompting authorities to evacuate neighbors’ homes.

Legal Representation and Defense

Yu’s attorney, William Bettencourt, did not comment on the matter without first consulting with his client. However, court documents reveal that Yu served in the Army and was honorably discharged as a private in 2002. He was a mechanic during his service and was discharged due to a disability incurred during his time in the military.

Bettencourt argued in court papers that Yu’s service-connected disability is listed by the Department of Veteran Affairs as a 100% diagnosis for paranoid schizophrenia. This information was presented as part of the defense strategy to mitigate the charges against Yu.

Yu holds an administrative license from the state Department of Real Estate, and his attorney emphasized that a felony conviction could lead to the suspension or revocation of this license. Additionally, the defense expressed concern that a felony conviction might disqualify Yu from serving as a Lake Forest City Councilman.

Previous Life and Current Status

Before his recent legal issues, Bettencourt described Yu as an "otherwise law-abiding citizen for his entire life." According to the defense, since Yu stopped seeing his ex-girlfriend, he has had no contact with law enforcement, and his mental health has improved significantly.

Yu previously shared his story with City News Service, stating that he was working on Wall Street during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which inspired him to enlist in the Army. He claimed that his DUI stemmed from mixing medication with alcohol, but he is now sober.